Grace Toohey – Los Angeles Times
A man was arrested early Monday after police say he stole a Long Beach Fire Department ambulance and drove away in it, officials said.

Los Angeles police officers stopped the ambulance just before 3 a.m. Monday, less than two miles from the San Pedro hospital where officials say the man stole the vehicle, said Officer Melissa Podany, an LAPD spokesperson.

The man, whom Podany identified as Fernandez Zuniga, had initially been brought to Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center for undisclosed treatment hours earlier, before he stole the ambulance, officials said. Podany said she did not know Zuniga’s age or when he was initially taken to the hospital.

Officers were able to quickly locate the stolen ambulance, arresting Zuniga on West 18th Street, Podany said. She said at least one officer sustained a minor injury while apprehending Zuniga with a “minor use of force.” She did not elaborate on what type of force was used.

No firefighters or paramedics were in the vehicle at the time it was stolen, said Capt. Jake Heflin, a spokesperson for the Long Beach Fire Department. He declined to say how Zuniga gained access to it but said the agency’s team was transferring their patient into the hospital when the ambulance was taken from the outside bay.

“Unfortunately, our vehicle sustained some minor front-end damage and some scratches,” Heflin said. He said all personnel and gear were accounted for.

Zuniga was booked on a suspicion of grand theft auto, Podany said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

©2023 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

RACINE, Wis., March 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The unique needs of specialty vehicles like fire and emergency service vehicles must be met for the full benefit of zero-emission transportation solutions to be realized. To that end, Modine Manufacturing Company (NYSE: MOD, “Modine”), a leader in thermal management technology and solutions, today announced an expansion of its partnership with REV Group, Inc. (NYSE: REVG) and its fire apparatus manufacturing brands E-ONE, KME, Ferrara and Spartan Emergency Response. Modine will supply its EVantage™ thermal management systems for the Vector™, the first North American-style all-electric fire truck.

Each Vector fire truck will be equipped with the complete suite of Modine thermal management systems, including the EVantage Battery Thermal Management System (BTMS), Electronics Cooling Package (ECP), and cabin heating and cooling circuits. These systems work together seamlessly to maintain optimal battery temperature, efficiently cool power electronics, and ensure passenger comfort in the cab, respectively.

“Strategic partnerships like the one with Modine help us minimize the environmental impact of our products by accelerating the use of alternative energy in the firefighting industry, and do so with reliable and cost-effective solutions for our customers,” said Roger Lackore, Senior Director of Product Development of REV Fire Group. “Modine’s technology is a valuable asset for the all-electric Vector, and we are proud to have them as a partner as we deliver the next generation of specialty vehicles for the customers and communities we serve.”

The all-electric Vector was introduced by REV Group in August 2021 to build on their commitment to green, energy-efficient technology. Equipped with 327 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of automotive-grade batteries, the truck provides a long electric pumping duration.

“As the demand for energy-efficient and sustainable vehicles continues to grow, our partnership with REV Group represents a significant opportunity to reduce tailpipe emissions in the firefighting industry while ensuring reliable operation of fire and emergency vehicles,” said Gina Maria Bonini, Vice President and General Manager of Advanced Thermal Systems at Modine. “We wor

By Alan M. Petrillo

The “Bigger is better” trend is alive and well in the fire service. Lots of fire departments are choosing to outfit their new engines with larger fire pumps and bigger water tanks, compared to those being purchased five to 10 years ago.

Apparatus and pump makers acknowledge this trend toward larger water tanks and pumps on engines and say the reasons for such choices are varied.

Mark Brenneman, assistant sales manager for 4 Guys Fire Trucks, says that his company has seen an increase in size in pump capacity and tank gallonage on engines in recent years.

“The lines between pumpers and the pumper-tanker have blurred,” Brenneman observes. “The pump gpm (gallons per minute) on engines have increased significantly, and tank sizes have crept up too. Customers generally know what they want in terms of pump and tank sizes, so it’s up to the manufacturer to get them what they need.”

Brenneman checked the 4 Guys pumper data and found that 1,500-gpm pumps were the most popular size for engines, with the call for smaller 500-gpm to 1,000-gpm pumps sharply reduced. In terms of tanks, 4 Guys didn’t see a corresponding expansion into larger water tanks on engines, although Brenneman notes that may change in the near future. “ I’ve seen pumpers get progressively bigger,” he notes. “There are still smaller engines, but today’s small pumpers are bigger than those of previous days. Pumpers today are the size that tankers were 10 years ago.”

Joe Messmer, president of Summit Fire Apparatus, says his company has been installing Mac1 3,000-gpm module pumps on municipal pumpers, most with 1,000-gallon water tanks, for semi-rural fire departments in the past year. “With the supply chain shortages that are plaguing manufacturers, we looked into alternative pumps and came up with the Mac1,” Messmer says. “Mac1 also has a 1,250-gpm version if the department doesn’t need the higher gallonage. We do the pump end on the 3,000-gpm unit with stainless-steel plumbing so the pump doesn’t take up any more room than a cast iron pump would and also give it a savings in weight.”

Chris Kleinhuizen, systems engineer for Rosenbauer America, says Rosenbauer has been seeing much larger pumps on municipal pumpers. “Many departments are asking for larger pumps but are de-rating them to give them a longer life span,” Kleinhuizen says. “We also are seeing more water tanks sized around 1,000 gallons and up to 1,200 gallons. Staffing is one of the big issues with pump and tank sizes because many departments can’t roll two or three rigs, so they want to do it with one.”

Kleinhuizen notes that Rosenbauer also makes fire pumps and has several series available in the larger sizes. “We have the RN series; then the N110, which produces 2,500 gpm and is used on a lot of aerials; the N130 pump will give 3,500 gpm; and we just proofed the N200 pump that will produce 5,500 gpm,” he says.

Alex Hobday, sales engineer for Spencer Manufacturing Inc., says Spencer has been seeing more large tanks going on pumpers than large pumps. “More water means extending the useful time on the scene,” Hobday observes, “so many departments are turning to pumper-tanker style vehicles, turning two trucks into one.”

Hobday points to a pumper-rescue-tanker that Spencer built for the Angola (IN) Fire Department on a Spartan Metro Star ELFD chassis and cab with a 10-inch raised roof, carrying a Hale QMax-XS 1,500-gpm pump and an 1,800-gallon water tank. “This vehicle was built to allow the department to roll one apparatus on a first-due assignment and not need to rely on a tanker/tender following right behind it,” Hobday points out.

For the Saugatuck Township (MI) Fire District, Spencer built a pumper on a Spartan Metro Star MFD chassis and cab with a 10-inch raised roof, a Hale QMax 2,000-gpm pump, and a 1,600-gallon water tank. “This pumper w

E-ONE—Ouje-Bougoumou (Quebec, Canada) Fire Rescue Service rear-mount 75-foot aerial ladder quint. Typhoon cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 6,000-lpm pump; 1,890-liter polypropylene water tank; Akron Hi-Riser monitor with 1,250-gpm nozzle; Harrison 10-kW generator. AXIS Smart Truck technology; EZ Trac all-wheel-drive system. Dealer: David Ruel, Techno Feu 1200 Degrees, St. Francois-du-Lac, Quebec, Canada.

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PRESS RELEASE

Scary morning for the Flint Township Fire Department family, the department posted on its Facebook page Saturday. While blocking westbound I-69 for an accident scene, our apparatus was struck by a motorist. There were two of our firefighters sitting in the cab when it was struck. Thankfully both are doing ok!

Reminder to PLEASE use caution while slowing down and yielding to ALL emergency vehicles working a scene on any roadway! There are husbands, wives, mothers and fathers working these scenes for their communities that all want to get home safely to their families! We are very thankful our two guys are home tonight with their family.

A special thank you to Flint Township trustee Tom Klee for coming to the station this morning and assisting with anything we needed to help us through this scary time!

Clinton Herald, Iowa
(TNS)

Mar. 20—CLINTON — Authorities have announced the name of the man who died in a grain bin last week.

John M. Reed, 67, 1856 280th Ave., DeWitt, died March 15 in a grain bin at 2073 320th Ave., DeWitt, Clinton County Sheriff Bill Greenwalt announced Monday.

Clinton County sheriff’s deputies and the DeWitt Fire Department were dispatched to the 320th Avenue location around 7:15 p.m. March 15 for a report of a man trapped in a grain bin.

Upon arrival, law enforcement and fire personnel located Reed trapped inside of a partially filled grain bin.

The DeWitt Fire Department, along with firefighters from neighboring jurisdictions, were able to extricate Reed; however, he had died as a result of being trapped in the grain.

The case remains under investigation by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and the Clinton County Medical Examiner’s Office. The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and DeWitt Fire Department were assisted at the scene by the Charlotte Fire Department, Goose Lake Fire Department, Low Moor Fire Department, Welton Fire Department, Genesis Ambulance, MedForce, and Clinton County Communications.

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(c)2023 the Clinton Herald (Clinton, Iowa)

Visit the Clinton Herald (Clinton, Iowa) at clintonherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

PRESS RELEASE

On March 19, 2023 at 0800 hours, Burton Station Virginia Beach Fire/EMS Station 22 is now open for service. It is located in the Northwest corridor of the city. The land clearing for this station began back in May 2021. This station will house an engine, ladder and an ambulance.

The first 911 call for Station 22 came at 0901 hours dealing with a medical emergency. The first structure fire call was at 1603 hours.

The Oakland Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire during the late hours of March 15, marking the final call for the department’s primary engine, ER43, wvnews.com reported.

It’s only fitting that the department’s primary engine, ER43, run a commercial structure fire as its final call to service for the town of Oakland and its surrounding community, a fire official said, according to the report.

The nearly-20-year-old fire engine was placed out of service for the final time once it returned to station early Thursday morning, the report said.

A fire official reported that the ER43 has been sold to Command Fire Apparatus, which is a used fire truck broker.

The new (and nearly $1 million) ER43 is in its final assembly stages at the factory, the report said. Final inspections are scheduled for next week.

PRESS RELEASE

Out with the old, in with the new, according to a March 11 Facebook post by Hallowell Fire Department. Engine 1 has served the department well since 1987. It was purchased for $108,000. She made her last run last night to a reported structure fire. Nothing found. Engine 4 her replacement is a 2023 Pierce Saber. It’s cost was $600,000. It has an expected service life of 25 years.

PRESS RELEASE

03/17/23 – The Old Lycoming Township Fire Company has been informed that we will be the recipient of a Local Share Account (LSA) grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to remodel and expand our 33-year-old fire station located at 1600 Dewey Avenue in Old Lycoming Township.

Thanks to the leadership of Rep. Joseph Hamm, the sponsorship of the Old Lycoming Township Supervisors and the guidance of Jason Fitzgerald, we are fortunate to have been awarded this grant in the amount of $1 million to help finance this major community project.

Besides housing the fire company, the station also houses Engine 14-1 (the engine staffed by the Williamsport Bureau of Fire and serving both communities), and MICU 91 (Mobile Intensive Care Unit staffed by Susquehanna Regional EMS and serving at least 10 communities along the Lycoming Creek Valley).

The purpose of this project is to expand our college “live-in” program and move it into the station. Update and modernize the quarters for Engine 14-1 and MICU 91. And provide a safer, welcoming environment for our volunteer staff.

The real work now begins, as we must move aggressively forward to make the building project a reality.

To all those inside and outside the company that have worked so many hours over the last four years to make this day a reality, thank you for all you have done to move us into the future.

Firefighters and Medina Village Board members gave the community tours of the firehouse recently, showing tight quarters, eroding floors, cracking walls and other deficiencies, orleanshub.com reported.

The board is looking to put an addition on the fire house that can better accommodate the larger fire trucks, the report said. The village also needs to replace the 27-year-old ladder truck, said a city official, according to the report.

The board expects to move forward soon with a plan for an addition on the fire house that would be approximately 62 feet, 8 inches by 88 feet, 8 inches, the report said. That addition, plus repairs to the existing fire house, would be about $4.5 million, according to a report from the Barton & Loguidice firm, the report said.

Saint Paul joins Los Angeles, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia in the purchase of the Rosenbauer RTX electric fire truck

Saint Paul, MN – On March 3, Saint Paul Mayor Carter and Fire Chief Inks announced that the Saint Paul Fire Department is embracing green energy to fight fires, becoming the first fire service in Minnesota to purchase an electric fire truck.

“We’re excited to be the first in the state to invest in this state-of-the-art fire truck,” said Mayor Carter. “It brings us all the critical green energy benefits of an electric vehicle, while meeting the high safety and efficiency standards we have for all our fire equipment.”

In 2020, Saint Paul Fire received demonstrations of the RTX from Rosenbauer, and again in January of 2023. Members of the department’s training division, apparatus selection committee, and vehicle maintenance personnel were impressed with the maneuverability, safety features, and functionality during these demonstrations.

“I was blown away by its overall performance and how quiet the rig is,” said Fire Chief Butch Inks. “Communication on fire scenes is important and can be extremely difficult, especially when six or seven loud diesel engines are operating in high idle.”

The investment in the RTX is in alignment with the City of Saint Paul Climate Action & Resilience Plan, which focuses on achieving carbon neutrality in city operations by 2030 and citywide by 2050. This work includes strategies to lessen the impacts of climate change through policy and regulatory actions the city can take to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the changing climate, and improve quality of life in the city. In addition to furthering climate goals, this investment helps reduce diesel emissions and supports firefighters’ overall health and wellbeing.

“We take pride in our ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and improve city services at the same time,” said Chief Resilience Officer Russ Stark. “Because emissions from larger vehicles are some of the hardest to tackle, this is a big milestone toward realizing our climate goals.”

Rosenbauer has started the build process on an RTX electric fire truck for Saint Paul, with delivery expected by 2025. Final assembly of the city’s and state’s first electric fire truck will be completed at Rosenbauer’s facility in Wyoming, Minnesota, with delivery expected to coincide with completion of a new Fire Station 7 on the city’s East Side.

“The Rosenbauer RTX is the fire truck of the future,” said Todd McBride, RTX Sales and Marketing Manager of Rosenbauer America. “With over 10 years of research and development, the RTX is built from the ground up using the most advanced materials and technologies. The RTX is the safest fire truck available – for firefighters, for communities and for the environment.”

The City of Saint Paul is submitting federal earmark funding requests to support the purchase of the state’s first electric fire engine.
For more information about Rosenbauer America, visit www.RosenbauerAmerica.com, Facebook, and Instagram.

About Rosenbauer America
Rosenbauer is the world’s lea

Following an outcry from residents worried about losing their properties, the Golden Valley City Council has decided to no longer consider building a new fire station in any spots that would require demolishing private homes, startribune.com reported.

The city at first looked at approximately 130 residential properties as possible sites for the new station, the report said.

• Golden Valley (MN) Might Buy Homes to Build New Fire Station

A fire official said she thinks the loud concerns from homeowners factored into the decision to move away from residential sites, according to the report.

The Golden Valley Fire Department has been looking to consolidate two outlying fire stations into one to serve the eastern side of the city, with enough space for modern equipment and room for firefighters to stay during overnight shifts, the report said.

None of the current three fire stations have bunk rooms, and there are other challenges with the current stations, such as having to back the fire trucks in every time they return.

The city council, the report said, has now narrowed its search to four possible sites, which include:

• Spring Gate Shopping Center at 5621 Duluth St. and 1875 Lilac Dr. N (Feist Automotive gas station).
• Basset Creek office and medical buildings at 5801 and 5851 Duluth St.
• Minnesota Department of Transportation’s west metro headquarters at 2055 Lilac Dr. N.
• The eastern baseball field at Schaper Park, at 631 Ottawa Ave.

The department, which has targeted 2025 to break ground, is hoping to secure $17 million for the project in a state bonding bill, according to the report. Of that amount, $4 million is allocated for land acquisition, which could turn out to be more depending on the site, the fire official said.

Thermal Imaging Manfred Kihn

Firefighters spend a lot of time training. This training is important to keep their skills honed for when they are called on during emergency situations and can include pump and aerial operations, donning and doffing of turnout gear, hose extending and pulling drills, ceiling breach exercises, forcible entry drills, and victim search techniques with victim drags and carries.

 

Most departments would consider these important for training, but how much time do fire departments devote to specific training with their thermal imagers (TIs)?

TI training shouldn’t just be observing fire behavior and how it looks on the TI’s display screen. It should also include ensuring that the TI is ready for use, image interpretation is understood by the firefighters, and the TI is deployed in all actual firefighting tasks. Some of the basics can be overlooked or taken for granted in training evolutions, but fire departments that ignore them risk that the TI is used ineffectively during emergency operations.

• Thermal Imaging Archives

Deploying the TI

Deploying the TI from an apparatus and attaching it to the personal protective equipment sounds like a very simple task, but when adrenaline is flowing and the action is furious, it can be mismanaged, costing precious time. Firefighters should practice removing the TI from their apparatus or directly from their apparatus charger, if they have one, while wearing the gear they would have on when departing the apparatus. Then, they can practice attaching the TI to their gear or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). When attaching the TI to the gear, firefighters should find a place that keeps the TI within easy reach but does not interfere with performing basic tasks. Because one of the biggest obstacles to effective TI use is getting the tool to where it is needed, this deployment and attachment process should be a component of every department’s training procedure.

Operating the TI with Gloved Hands

Operating a TI with a gloved hand sounds easy but can be challenging during an emergency operation. Firefighters too often do this in nonemergency situations without wearing gloves and fail to realize the increased difficulty of using a TI in emergency operations. All TIs have buttons that need to be manipulated during different stages of emergency operations. Firefighters need to become familiar with where the power button is located and practice finding it with a gloved hand in the dark and while wearing an SCBA face piece. This helps firefighters learn to capably do this in a sight-denied situation when the unit has been inadvertently powered off or a battery needs to be changed. This training should be extended for all buttons on the TI so firefighters have a good familiarity with the buttons, their locations, and their functions.

Replacing the TI’s Battery

Replacing the battery on a TI can be a challenging task depending on the TI, the size of the battery, and where the spare battery is carried. This task is often practiced in a boardroom type setting with no gloves or gear, but firefighters should do this task with gloved hands in the dark while wearing a face piece to simulate completing this task in the dark or smoky conditions.

Live Training Burns

Firefighters often get the opportunity to participate in training burns. In these

E-ONE—Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department 95-foot extruded aluminum aerial ladder. Typhoon cab and chassis with 12-inch Vista roof and severe-duty interior; Cummins X15 605-hp engine; Akron Stream Master ll AVM monitor with two 2.5-inch discharges for standpipe operation; automatic leveling system for outriggers; shortened rear body to reduce tail swing. Dealer: Mark Julien, H&E Equipment, Phoenix, AZ.

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Shayla Gaulding
The Emporia Gazette
(TNS)

Mar. 18—The Chase County Commission discussed the need for a new fire station in Strong City at its meeting Monday morning at the Chase County Courthouse.

As previously reported by The Leader-News, the current fire station covers only 0.5 acres of land owned by the City of Strong City and is not able to accommodate all of the county’s emergency vehicles. It is also located near the future Strong City splash pad, which has raised concerns about the safety of children playing near the station in the event of an emergency, as well as parking concerns for emergency responders.

Commissioners are considering building a new, 10,200-square-foot facility and abandoning the existing fire station in Strong City. The new station would be 10 bays and include a training room, an office, ADA restrooms, storage and be set up to easily accommodate additions. No location has officially been announced, though a preliminary architectural report from BG Consultants — the architects handling the potential construction — suggested the facilities be located north of Highway 50.

A public hearing date is set for Wednesday, April 5 at 7 p.m. at the Swope Park Community Building in Cottonwood Falls for community input.

Ranson Financial Municipal Consultant Rose Mary Saunders joined the commission via Zoom to discuss financing the project. While an updated cost estimate on the project is still pending, Saunders said the cost for the fire station, including bond costs, is projected to be $1,996,579 before grants.

“The [community service tax credit program, or CPS] we were wanting to apply for, it’s a maximum of $200,000 that we can apply for. It has to be done by a nonprofit,” Saunders said. “We would utilize that [the Emporia Community Foundation Chase County Emergency Services Fund] to apply for the tax credits.

“It’s a way to invest money into the community and for the individual or another foundation or company to get a tax credit on your state taxes,” she explained. “It is a mechanism where you can get a credit on your taxes and still benefit the fire station.”

According to Saunders, the county would be applying to CDBG for $600,000 and another $200,000 from CSP, leaving the county with $1,146,579 in total costs. The county can also look for other funding, Saunders said, including the Sunderland Foundation and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

Commissioners approved a grant-writing contract for Saunders for her work on the applications. The contract is for $90 per hour, not to exceed $5,000.

In further business, Commission Chair Tony Hazelton gave an update on ongoing discussions to prevent further salt and moisture damage to the courthouse’s foundation and walls. Hazelton said Michael Clancy of RenoDry, out of Overland Park, is in the process of providing the commission with more references on how a device to remove moisture and salt from the building has worked at other historical buildings.

Hazelton also addressed concerns that the device would need to be installed on the main floor, as it would need to be placed above the water and salt line.

“They would like it on this floor,” Hazelton said. “They want it above the water line, salt line, so they want it on this floor but they could put it in an office or closet or bathroom.”

The commission also:

• Signed a lease agreement with Cottonwood Valley Bank for motor grader financing.
• Discussed various upcoming Road and Bridge projects.
• The Chase County Commission will meet again on March 31 at 9 a.m. at the Chase County Courthouse.

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(c

Jamie Browder
The Keene Sentinel, N.H.
(TNS)

Mar. 18—MARLOW — Voters agreed Saturday to pursue potential solutions to building problems in the police and fire stations.

The nearly three-hour town meeting was attended by 33 residents, who approved every article on the warrant, including an amendment to increase the veterans tax credit.

Two articles related to the police and fire stations: One to change the name of an existing capital reserve fund to the Public Safety Building Project Capital Reserve Fund to pay for a feasibility study of a public safety building, and to allow the selectboard to expend money from it, and another to deposit $45,000 into that fund.

Both passed on a voice vote.

Tom Willey, a member of the Marlow Public Safety Building Advisory Committee, said the fire station has structural issues, no space for equipment, barely any room for trucks to be parked inside, undrinkable water, no showers, mold, and the building tends to flood or freeze. The police department building, Willey said, also has mold, no functioning bathroom and no place to store evidence.

The town’s choices are either to repair the stations or build new on 7.5 acres of property the town already owns. Willey cautioned, though, that any repairs to the fire station could be costly, as the station would have to be brought up to code, which it currently isn’t.

Willey said the cost of the feasibility study, to be conducted by an architect, is estimated at $30,000 and it will help the town decide which option is cheaper.

Selectboard Chair Robert Allen said changing the name of the reserve fund, called the Community Development Project Capital Reserve Fund, to focus on the public safety building project could also help the project garner grants. The fund currently has $12,318.

Also on Saturday, voters agreed to re-adopt a veterans tax credit, and to raise that tax credit from $200 to $750.

The movement to raise the credit was brought by resident Jim Strickland, who inquired what the highest amount of money the credit could be.

Executive Administrator Jacqui Fay reviewed state law and found $750 was the top limit for the credit. The amendment passed with a majority vote, followed by the overall article.

The town’s budget proposal of $896,190, up about 1.1 percent, or $9,786, from the $886,404 budget voters approved last year, was approved unanimously by voters.

Residents also approved adding funds to capital reserves: $25,000 for the road improvement trust fund; $10,000 for the heavy highway equipment fund; $5,000 for the transfer station trust fund; $5,000 for the police cruiser fund and $7,600 for the police recruitment fund. All of these allocations would come from budget surplus.

Voters also greenlit adding $10,000 for the fire truck and ambulance fund; $4,000 for the fire and ambulance repair trust fund; $5,000 for the fire uniform and protective equipment trust fund; $2,000 for the information technology equipment replacement trust fund and $10,500 for the cyclical revaluation fund.

Voters also OK’d a request to create the Robert Nichols Ambulance Expendable Trust Fund and appropriate $31,725 for it. The entire amount is coming from funds bequeathed from the Robert C. Nichols trust/estate.

Voters approved $10,500 to update the town’s hazard mitigation plan, contingent on receiving 75 percent from the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program Grant. The other 25 percent would be matched by the town.

Elections for town and school district positions will take place on March 28 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the John D. Perkins Sr. Academy, after being postponed due to last week’s snowstorm.

Jamie Browder can be reached at 352-1234 ext. 1427 or 

Sandy City Fire Station 31, built in 1984, is on the verge of getting a much-needed upgrade, benefiting both firefighters and residents, kutv.com reported.

The station was damage from the 2020 earthquake, including a cracked foundation and has no elevator access for individuals using wheelchairs, the report said.

Exterior water drains into the garage, which a fire official described as basically your downspout to your house piped inside the building, according to the report.

The roof leaks and there’s mold in the showers, the report said. The fire official acknowledged that the building doesn’t meet fire code in some areas.

While Station 31 has issues, the fire official shared his vision for a new fire station focused on the future.

A new first station is in the development stages right now that could accommodate up to 15 firefighters to factor in potential growth of the department, the report said.

The city is currently looking to hire an architect and already owns land in a high-growth area of the city where the future station might go, according to the report.

A new station could be up and running by 2025, the report said.

The Durant Fire Department is donating unused equipment that will continue to serve the people of Bryan County, kxii.com reported.

Colbert Fire will receive Durant’s old air fill station, which fills self-contained breathing apparatus, or SCBA, air tanks, the report said. The new fill station has a safety feature Colbert’s current one does not.

Calera Fire is getting a decommissioned hazmat trailer that was donated to Durant in 2017, according to the report. Calera plans to use this trailer to hold its scuba diving equipment.

During the city council session Tuesday the fire department also requested that three more items be auctioned off including out of service fire engines built in 1999, the report said.